Ethel Willie Yazzie

Ethel Willie Yazzie, a loving matriarch, passed away peacefully on March 29, 2025, in Grants. Born on May 14, 1930, in the quaint village of Bluewater, her life was a tapestry woven with love, compassion, and creativity that spanned nearly a century.

Throughout her days, Ethel exemplified the essence of unconditional love. She cherished her family above all and was perpetually delighted by the joy of gatherings, where laughter echoed, and stories were shared. Ethel held a special affinity for her family friends, whose presence never failed to warm her heart. She was a beacon of kindness, instilling in those around her a sense of belonging and warmth.

Her interests were as vibrant as her spirit. Ethel found great pleasure in beadwork and weaving, skills she honed with care and precision, creating beautiful pieces that reflected her artistic flair. Her time spent at the Senior Center was yet another avenue where her vibrant personality could flourish, as she embraced the camaraderie and connections formed within that cherished community.

Ethel's legacy is enriched by her surviving family members: Peterson Yazzie, Martha Yazzie, Johnson Yazzie, Autry Yazzie, Lucinda Yazzie, Deloris Jim, Sandy Pino, Cindy Yazzie, Albert Yazzie, Thompson Willie, and Mike Willie—who carry forward the values she held dear.

Though the world has lost a remarkable soul with her departure, Ethel is reunited in spirit with her late mother, Anna Loretto Willie, her father, Jim Willie, and her beloved sisters—Grace Morgan, Mary Yazzie, Lucy Jake, and Bessie Morgan—as well as her brother, Emerson Willie, and her children, Wilson Yazzie, Carol Yazzie, and Jerry Yazzie. Their reunion marks a bittersweet chapter in the annals of her family's story.

Ethel Willie Yazzie will forever be remembered for her unwavering love, her artistic spirit, and her capacity to make everyone feel profoundly valued. Her light will live on in the hearts of those she touched and, in the memories, shared among family and friends.